House Democratic leader engages in shouting match with Republican over shutdown

Tensions flared on Capitol Hill on Wednesday when two House lawmakers got into a shouting match on the eighth day of the 2025 government shutdown.

Rep. Mike Lawler, D-N.Y., confronted House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., outside the latter’s news conference on a bipartisan compromise on advancing human rights. Obamacare subsidiesa major flashpoint in the fight over federal funding.

He also taunted Jeffries about whether he would endorse democratic socialist Zahran Mamdani for mayor of New York City – to which Jeffries did not respond.

“First of all, I’m not answering to you. You’re not even answering to yourself,” Jeffries replied.

Senate stalls on vote on shutdown amid warning that furloughed workers could lose pay

The heated exchange began when Lawler challenged Jeffries to sign bipartisan legislation expanding COVID-era improvements to Obamacare subsidies for one year.

These subsidies are scheduled to expire at the end of 2025 without action by Congress, and Democrats are demanding that this issue be addressed before they agree on a federal funding bill to end the shutdown.

“We got a one-year extension, why don’t you sign up now?” Lawler asked.

Jeffries responded angrily: “Did you get permission from your boss? Did he get permission from your boss?” Donald Trump I give you permission?”

“He’s not my president,” Lawler replied.

The two men spoke to each other for about five minutes, accusing each other’s party of obstructing the government.

“You’re embarrassed,” Jeffries said, before confronting him about voting for President Donald Trump’s massive policy bill, the “Big Beautiful Bill.”

“You voted for a tax cut bill that gave the largest tax cut to Americans in history — including, by the way, the average New Yorker getting a $4,000 tax cut. Are you against that?” Lawler asked.

Jeffries responded: “You’re embarrassing yourself. The biggest Medicaid cut in American history — you voted for that.”

The House Democratic leader pointed his finger at Lawler’s chest, telling him: “You’re not going to talk to me, you’re not going to talk to me, because you don’t want to hear what I have to say. So why don’t you just keep your mouth shut?”

“Oh, is that how you talk?” Lawler responded.

They continued to debate the merits of Republicans’ policy bill, even though Lawler repeatedly tried to ask Jeffries if he would sign a temporary Obamacare extension.

Jeffries then turned the conversation to accusing House Republicans of staying in their districts during the government shutdown — something House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., had urged them to do in order to keep the focus on D.C. on Senate Democrats rejecting the GOP funding bill.

Senate Republicans confirm more than 100 Trump nominees as government shutdown continues

“You wanted the Republicans to be here, and I’m here,” Lawler said. “And by the way, you can pass the Affordable Care Act extension now. Sign this bill.”

Jeffries asked: “Mike, is your president Donald Trump behind this?”

He said it will take more Republicans than those who signed the legislation to pass the House as the fight develops into more insults.

“Are you athletically challenged, bro?” – Jeffries asked.

“No, I think you are. You have 215 Democrats,” Lawler said.

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

The fight came hours after statements by House Speaker Mike Johnson, Republican of Los Angeles. I faced a husband of Senate Democrats outside his office who were demanding the Republican leader swear in Rep.-elect Adelita Grijalva, Democrat of Arizona.

Senate Democrats rejected the GOP-led funding bill for the sixth time on Wednesday, ensuring the shutdown would be extended to a ninth day.

The House passed a bill to extend federal funding levels for fiscal year 2025 through Nov. 21 to give lawmakers more time to reach a long-term agreement for fiscal year 2026 spending.

But Democrats, angry at being sidelined in federal funding talks, have largely said they would reject any deal Not included An extension of the expired Obamacare subsidies.